Hyundai revives the Tuscon name, but does it further invigorate Hyundai’s range, asks Al Suttie?
1 – You can’t fault Hyundai’s ‘pack it with kit’ thinking. It worked for the ix35 and this Premium model Tuscon is laden with goodies.
2 – As well as sat-nav and reversing camera, the Premium has Lane Keep Assist, two-mode steering assistance and Hill Descent Control.
3 – Oh yes, it’s got four-wheel drive too, which helps the Tuscon cope with icy tracks and the 4WD Lock gives yet more traction.
4 – Off-roading is not the Tuscon’s bag due to the lengthy front and rear overhangs, but it’s more than content on the road.
5 – Only blot on the driving landscape is the occasional jitter caused by the Premium’s 19-inch wheels. Otherwise, comfort reigns.
6 – It’s the same inside, where refinement is on a par with the best in class. Space and seat comfort are also top drawer.
7 – The clearly grouped dash functions make sense, but the steering wheel controls look a tad old hat by comparison.
8 – The 136PS 2.0-litre turbodiesel is quiet, but you have to drop a couple of gears for sufficient overtaking urge.
9 – Hyundai claims 54.3mpg for this six-speed manual Tuscon model, but we recorded 37.8mpg overall.
10 – It’s a very likeable machine, the Tuscon, which makes the £28,000 price tag very reasonable next to its competition.
